Reed type musical instrument and improved mouthpiece therefor



United States Patent 3,413,884 REED TYPE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AND IMPROVEDMOUTHPIECE THEREFOR Giuseppe Sciacca, 148 W. th St., New York, N.Y.10011 Filed May 9, 1966, Ser. No. 548,504 10 Claims. (Cl. 84--383)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates in general toimprovements in a reed type musical instrument, and more specifically,to an improved mouthpiece in which the size of the air intake orificeand the frequency of vibration of the reed can be varied over apredetermined range to effect reproduction of truer tones from theinstrument. This invention also contemplates the utilization of means toeffect optimum fidelity of sound reproduction from a reed type musicalinstrument.

Heretofore, a musician of a reed type musical instrument, as forexample, a saxophone or a clarinet, controlled or influenced the tonequalities of the instrument by the selection of an appropriate reed.Generally such reeds are constructed so as to have a predetermineddegree of hardness and/or softness. Depending upon a particular tonecharacteristic a musician desired, an appropriate reed of predeterminedhardness or softness had to be selected. Accordingly, such musicianwould have on hand a wide selection of reeds from which he would chooseand according to the result desired. The selected reed would then haveto be interchanged with the reed in the mouthpiece of the instrument.Such interchanging of the reeds for varying selections of tone and pitchconstitutes a relatively tedious and time consuming operation. Normally,during a musical session, such instrument player is frequently notafforded the time necessary to effect such an interchange of reeds.Accordingly, the instrumental or music resulting from such instance doesnot achieve the optimum sound effect.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improvedmouthpiece for a reed instrument which is specifically constructed andarranged so as to enable the musician or player of such instrument theopportunity to effect the adjustment of the tone qualities of theinstrument in a relatively simple and expedient manner, and without thenecessity of effecting an interchange of reeds.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mouthpiece of a reedinstrument with a means for varying the frequency or pitch of a givenreed thereby enabling the same reed to impart varying tone qualities tothe instrument as may be required from instrumental to instrumental.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mouthpiece for areed instnument with means for adjusting the reed for varying degrees ofhardness and/ or softness.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved mouthpiecefor a reed instrument in which the tone qualities of the associatedinstrument can be varied in a relatively simple, expedient and positivemanner.

It is another object of this invention to provide a reed instrument withmeans for enhancing the tone qualities of 'ice the instrument so as torender the sounds produced thereby more soft and smooth, and thereforemore melodious.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improvement in a reedtype musical instrument which enables a player to attain the higherand/or lower notes with greater ease.

The foregoing objects, and other features and advantages are attained bya mouthpiece for a reed type instrument that comprises essentially of ameans for varying the vibration frequency of the reed. This is attainedby a fixture which is clamped to the body of the mouthpiece and which isarranged to operate on the reed in a variable manner. The fixturecomprises a housing which has adjustably mounted therein a pressureplate which is adapted to bear against the reed at varying pointslongitudinally thereof. A means is operatively connected to the pressureplate to effect longitudinal adjustment of the pressure plate relativeto the reed. Another means is provided for securing the pressure platein the adjusted position thereof. By varying the position of thepressure plate longitudinally of the reed, the frequency of the reedvibration is adjusted accordingly. By so doing, a desired optimum soundis attained. If desired, the housing may be provided with a resilientpad at the bottom thereof to bear against the heel portion of the reed.In this manner, the housing may be accommodated or readily adapted toany given reed.

To further enhance the tone qualities of the instrument, means may beinserted into either the register hole or the thumb hole of theinstrument to render the sounds produced thereby more soft, more smoothand thereby more melodious. This is attained by securing an element inthe nature of a screen insert in either the register key hole and/ orthumb hole. Depending upon the mesh sizes of the screen insert, thesound of the instrument can be varied accordingly. 4

A feature of this invention resides in the utilization of a fixturesecured to the mouthpiece and its reed having means for varying thefrequency of the reed vibration so that a variation of desirable tonesmay be attained with a given reed.

Another feature of this invention resides in a fixture for adjusting andmaintaining the adjustment of the frequency vibration of the reed in arelatively simple and expedient manner.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of an insertfor use in either the key hole register or the thumb hole of theinstrument for effecting or enhancing the softness and/or smoothness ofthe sound produced thereby.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of providingthe fixture with a resilient pad to accommodate the same to the contourof the reed when placed in operation.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and specification in which,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the improved mouthpiece for a reedtype musical instrument.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a detail sectional view of the mouthpiece construction ofFIG. 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail sectional side View of the fixture foreffecting adjustment of the frequency of vibration of the reed.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 on FIG. 3.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail showing of the screen insert means foruse in either the thumb hole and/ or register hole of the instrument.

FIGURE 7 is a modified detail.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a cover for the mouthpiece.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown therein a fragmentary or upperend portion of a reed type instrument 10, as for example, a clarinet,saxophone and the like, and the connected mouthpiece 11 of the instantinvention. As shown, the mouthpiece 11 comprises a tubular like body 12having a longitudinal bore 13 extending therethrough. One end of thebody 12 is shaped to provide a tipped end portion 12A which is placed inthe mouth of the player. The other end of the mouthpiece 12 is definedwith a neck portion 123 by which the mouthpiece 12 is detachably securedto the upper end of the instrument 10. The upper end of the body 12adjacent the tip end 12A of the mouthpiece is provided with a cut awayportion to define opposed parallel edges 14 against which the reed 15rests as is customary with mouthpieces of such instruments.

The reed 15 rests on the body of the mouthpiece in a manner similar tothat of the conventional imouthpieces, that is, with the heel portion15A of the reed 15 disposed away from the tip end 15B of the mouthpieceand with the feathery end of the reed overlying the cut away end portion14 of the body so that the feathery tip most end of the reed defineswith the tip of the body an orifice 1 6 through which the air ispermitted to flow when the instrument is being played.

Heretofore, it has been customary to vary the size of the orificeopening 16 to control the tone qualities of the instrument. This wasattained by utilizing reeds of varying degrees of hardness and/orsoftness. Depending upon whether the musician selected a hard reed or asoft reed, or a reed having a degree of hardness or softness rangingtherebetween, the desired sound characteristics of the instrument couldbe adjusted within a given range.

In accordance with this invention, a means or fixture 17 is providedwhich when applied to the mouthpiece 11 can be used to effectivelycontrol the size of the orifice opening and/or the frequency ofvibration of the reed, and thereby attain the tone or sound variationswhich the player desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the fixture or means 17 comprises ahousing 18 which is secured to the body portion 12 of the mouthpiece,and the reed 15 associated therewith by means of a clamp 19. In theillustrated form of the invention, the clamping means 19 comprises a Cshaped clamp or strap which embraces the fixture or housing 18 and thebody portion 12 of the mouthpiece 11 to secure therebetween the reed 15.Conventional thumb screws 20 may be provided for securing the clamp 19about the fixture 17 and the body 12 of the mouthpiece. If desired, thesides of the mouthpiece 11 may be provided with cut out portions orgrooves 11A to accommodate the clamp or strap 19. In this manner, theclamp 19 can be positively positioned with respect to the body, and alsothe grooves 11A will prohibit the clamp 19 from sliding relative to thebody. As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper end of clamp 19 is provided witha cutout or notch 21 for accommodating a set screw 22, as will behereinafter described. Thus, as it will be hereinafter noted, the notch21 provides a means for positioning the fixture or adjusting means 17relative to the clamping means 19 or body 12 to assure that the fixtureor adjusting means 17 is properly disposed with respect to themouthpiece 11.

The housing 18 of the adjusting means 17 may be defined of any suitablematerial, as for example, plastic and/ or metal and it is provided witha bore 23 extending longitudinally thereof. As shown, one end of thehousing is defined by an end wall 24 which has an aperture 25 formedtherein. The bottom 26 of the housing 18 is slotted to receive aresilient pad 27, e.g. a cork, rubber or the like by which it iscushioned against the reed 15. With the housing 18 of the adjustingmeans 17 positioned on the mouthpiece 11 of the instrument, resilientpad 27 is brought to bear against the heel portion 15A of the reed, andthus functions to accommodate the housing 18 thereto. Because reeds 15are usually formed of bamboo, the dimensions or contours of the heelportions 15A will vary from one to another. Thus the resilient pad 27 inthe bottom of the housing provides the means or cushion whereby thehousing 1 8 will accommodate itself to the given contour of heelportions 15A of a given reed.

A pressure plate 28 is adjustably mounted in the housing. As shown, thepressure plate 28 is arranged to bear upon the feathery end portion ofthe reed. Connected to the pressure plate 28 and extending to the rearthereof, is a threaded stem or screw 29 which extends through theaperture or opening 25 formed in the end wall 24 of the housing. Aspring 30 in the form of a coil spring is disposed about the adjustingscrew 29 between the end wall 24 of the housing and the shoulder 31 ofthe pressure plate 28. The arrangement is such that the spring 30 willnormally urge the pressure plate 28 outwardly of the housing. Anadjusting nut 32 is connected to the extended end of the threadedadjusting screw 29. The arrangement is such that depending on therotation of the adjusting nut 32, the spring biased pressure plate 28will move inwardly or outwardly of the housing a predetermined distance.Accordingly, the pressure plate 28 may be adjusted longitudinally of thefeathery end reed a predetermined amount. In this manner the pressurepoint along the reed can be adjusted accordingly, and by so doing, varythe frequency or vibratory characteristic of the reed accordingly.

Means in the form of a holder33 extends about the pressure plate 28 andthe body of the mouthpiece to secure the plate 28 in the set or adjustedposition thereof. As shown, a thumb screw 34 secures the adjacent endsof the holding strap 33 and tightens the strap 33 about the pressureplate 28 and body 12. If desired, a lock screw 22 threaded through atapped opening 22A in the top of the housing 18 can be brought to bearagainst the pressure plate 28 in the adjusted position thereof, andthereby functions to positively secure the pressure plate 28 in theadjusted position thereof. Accordingly, it will be noted that theorifice 16 and/or the length of the feathery end portion 15B of the reedmay be adjusted depending upon the setting of the pressure plate 28 withrespect thereto. By varying the distance between the pressure point,-i.e., the point at which the pressure plate 28 is brought to bear onthe reed 15 and tip end of the reed, the tone qualities of theinstrument may be adjusted as the softness of the reed variesaccordingly. With the fixture described, a single reed can be utilizedto attain all the tone qualities, which heretofore was possible only byan interchange of reeds of varying hardness and/ or softness. With thefixture of this invention, a musician has control over the tone or soundof the instrument depending upon the setting eifected by the pressureplate 28.

With the construction described, it will become readily apparent thatthe setting or adjustment of the pressure plate 28 can be etfectedsimply by loosening the lock nut 22 and the thumb screw 34 of theholding strap 33 thereby enabling the pressure plate 28 to be readilyadjusted along the reed 15 by rotation of the adjusting nut 32accordingly. With the pressure plate 28 in desired position, theposition thereof can be quickly locked simply by tightening the thumbscrew 34 securing the holding strap 33 and turning the lock nut 22 topositively bear upon the pressure plate 28. The adjustment of the reed15 is thereby simply affected. Thus, a musician can quickly adjust thetone or sound of the instrument without effecting any removal orinterchange of reeds 15.

To further add to the tone qualities or sound of the instrument toeffect the desired degree of softness or smoothness of the instrument, ameans is provided which can be inserted into either the register keyhole 37 or the thumb hole 38 of the instrument 10. As best seen in FIGS.1 and 6, this means comprises an insert 39 formed of a screen-likematerial which can be readily fitted to either the register hole 37and/or thumb hole 38. As shown, the insert or means 37 comprises adimple or plug 39 of screen material which can be readily fitted intoeither of the holes 37 or 38. To position and retain the screen materialtherein, the respective holes are provided with an annular groove 40formed in the surrounding wall thereof. The screen dimple or plug 39 isprovided with a circumscribing complementing bead 41 which is adapted tobe received in the groove 40 when the insert 39 is positioned in thehole. Accordingly, the insert 39 may be readily snap fitted into itsrespective hole 37 or 38.

Depending upon the mesh sizes or openings formed in the screen materialof the plug 39, the tone qualities and/ or softness of the soundresulting thereby can be varied accordingly. In operation, the screeninsert 39 functions as a mute to soften or dampen the tone qualities ofthe instrument. It has been noted that the screen insert 39 renders theinstrument more responsive to the efforts of the musician in thatsmoother, clear sounding notes can be more readily attained thereby.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent that thesound versatility of the instrument is greatly enhanced by utilizing theadjusting fixture 17 with the units 39. Experience has indicated thatthe tone and pitch of the instrument can be varied to suit the desire ortaste of a particular musician and/or instrumental effect attainablethereby. The mouthpiece adjusting fixture 17 and the screen inserts 39are relatively simple to fabr-icate and relatively inexpensive tomanufacture. The adjusting means enables a musician to attain theadvantages with a single reed which was not heretofore possible. Also bycomplementing the adjusting fixture with the use of inserts, a widevariety of varying sounds can be effected by the musician.

FIG. 7 illustrates a slightly modified construction for applying ascreen insert in hole 38. In this form the hole 38 is connterbored as at38A to provide a shoulder 38B. The screen plug 39A is then fitted intothe counterbore 38B and rests on the shoulder 383. The sides of thecounterbore 38B and the screen plug 39A are provided with complementarytapers to provide for a positive seating of the plug 39A.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a cap or cover 60 for the mouthpiece. It comprisessimply of a rubber or elastic tube 61 closed at one end 62 and open atits other end 63. Accordingly, the rubber or elastic cover can simply befitted over the mouthpiece as disclosed in the dash line of FIG. 1 toprotect the same.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to aparticular embodiment thereof, it will be readily understood andappreciated that variations and modifications thereof may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mouthpiece for a reed type instrument comprisa body having a boreextending therethrough,

said body having a shaped tip end portion adapted to be received in themouth of a player and a neck end portion by which said body connects toan instrument,

a reed overlying the shaped tip end portion of said body,

means adjusting the frequency vibration of said reed,

and means for clamping said adjusting means to said body and reed,

in combination with an instrument having a register keyhole and anadjacent thumb hole,

and means disposed in either of said holes to vary the tone of saidinstrument when being played.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said latter meansincludes a screen insert fitted in one of said holes.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 including means for detachablyconnecting said screen insert in its respective hole.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said screen insertcomprises a concaved screen element which is fitted into its respectivehole, and means for frictionally retaining said screen element into itsrespective hole.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said frictional retainingmeans includes an annular groove circumscribing the wall of said hole,and a complementary projecting annular bead circumscribing said screenelement adapted to register in said groove.

6. A mouthpiece for a reed type instrument comprisa body having a boreextending therethrough,

said body having a shaped tip end portion adapted to be received in themouth of a player and a neck end portion by which said body connects toan instrument,

a reed overlying the shaped tip end portion of said body,

means adjusting the frequency vibration of said reed,

and means for clamping said adjusting means to said body and reed,

said adjusting means comprises,

a housing adapted to overlie the heel portion of said reed,

said housing having a bore therein,

a pressure plate,

a threaded stem connected to said pressure plate, said stem extendingthrough the bore of said housing and extends through a threaded holeformed in the end of said housing,

an adjusted nut threaded to the end of said stem to effect longitudinaladjustment of said pressure plate along said reed,

a strap for clamping said pressure plate against said reed in theadjusted position thereof,

and a set screw threaded to the end of said housing overlying saidpressure plate to positively secure said pressure plate in the adjustedposition thereof.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said clamping meanssecuring the housing of said adjusting means to said body is formed witha notch in the forward end thereof, said notch being adapted to receivethe set screw to fix the housing relative to the body of saidmouthpiece.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said body includesgrooves formed therein for accommodating and fixing said clamping meansrelative to said body.

9. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said housing includes aresilient pad disposed in the bottom thereof, whereby said pad isadapted to bear against the reed in the operative position thereof.

10. A reed instrument comprising the instrument body and a connectedmouthpiece, and said instrument body having a register key hole and anadjacent thumb hole, the improvement of a means inserted into either ofsaid holes to vary the tone of said instrument, said insert including ascreen insert adapted to be retained in its respective hole.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,499,855 3/1950 Gamble 84383RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

G. M. POLUMBUS, Assistant Examiner.

